BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — The Kern County Board of Supervisors approved a $4.5 billion budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year, an increase of about $75 million from the previous year.

Within the budget, the board approved $1.1 billion toward the general fund. That includes $453 million for behavioral health, $345 million for the Sheriff’s Office, $243 million for county fire, $70 million for major maintenance projects and $271 million for public works and roads.

As they approved the budget, Supervisor Jeff Flores highlighted increases to the Department of Human Services, a department that has faced scrutiny in recent weeks.

“Is it safe to assume since there was a 30 million dollar increase over the last year … DHS received an increase as well?” Flores asked during the meeting.

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